Welcome to Sincerely, Melissa Podcast where I talk about advice. FYI, my dog Jasper is present with me, you may hear him on the audio.
The topic of this episode is about what red flags and green flags to look for when you start at a new job. I will be discussing my real-life work experiences to show you what signs to look at, so you can identify if you will be able to do well in this new job of yours. I will be avoiding the names of companies for legal reasons.
After college, I started working for a zoo in a seasonal part-time security position. I loved working there. I formed amazing relationships with my coworkers in the security department. Let me tell you, they truly know what they are doing while being very friendly. People don't have to like you, and you don't have to get along with your coworkers, but you must be able to work with each other to ensure tasks are getting done correctly on time the first time around. If you can't do that with any coworker, then take it as a red flag, and consider if the position or even the company is a healthy happy work environment for you. The last thing you want is to work in a place that pulls you down mood wise or else you will end up severely burned out emotionally and physically. I know because I spent a year in a Pharmacy that made medicine for pets. I ended up severely burned out, with a mental health crisis causing me to quit on the spot because I couldn't take another second. I know what you are thinking, why didn't I just get into a doctor or take time off? I couldn't get into a doctor for several months because of their waitlist and my PTO was used up from another medical emergency just a couple of months before that.
Make sure the environment is a positive one. Working at the zoo during the holidays was a huge mood booster, so considering what was around me could help my mood. Make sure there are no negative aspects or situations occurring constantly in the workplace and consider does this place have a high turnover. If it does, then it is for a reason. I should have realized that sooner before I took a year in a pharmacy support position with no advancement or alternative positions in the company available to me just because I didn't have a pharmacy technician license. It was my first full-time job, so I was eager to work, plus the friendships I formed with coworkers kept me going. But, as people leave, you start to feel worse and question everything.
Make sure that you are not ending up at a dead end either because you don't want to be stuck in the same position without opportunities to grow in the company. Make sure you act professionally even if no one else is, it can lead you to trouble, especially legal trouble. In the pharmacy I worked in, everyone gossiped or cussed constantly. Conversations are fine, as long as you keep it professional and get your work done. Make sure the environment is safe for you. I once worked in a warehouse for 24 hours, I did the job well, but I couldn't safely work there because they had no air conditioning in a warehouse that got to 111 degrees F at night. You don't want to work in an environment that doesn't care about your safety, however, if you are in a bind and need money quickly they are a good option. They do have amazing benefits and you can be hired quickly, but just remember they hire new people constantly you can be replaced in the position with a snap of a wrist, so take your health and safety first.
Now there can be some pretty interesting places to work, like the zoo I worked at. Those unique places can form memories for you that you will never forget. Like, I remember watching the elephants be fed carrots while I was stationed near their exhibit one time. Those are some pretty amazing memories. You may want to consider working at a place like that, as there are many rewarding experiences and knowledge to be had. However, do remember
Sincerely,
Melissa
Subscribe below.
